Klaus Merkel graduated in 1992 as telecommunications engineer at the Technical University in Munich, Germany. At that time he had already started working at the Institut für Rundfunktechnik (IRT) in Munich which is the central research and development institute of the public broadcasters in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. During his first years at IRT, he developed various digital studio hardware equipment. Since 1995, Klaus Merkel has been engaged in the establishment of DVB-based digital platforms for broadcast TV distribution and IPTV networks and interactive services. Since 2005 the integration of broadcast and broadband services into a true hybrid system is his main field of work which resulted in major contributions in the founding work of HbbTV.

Currently he is managing all technical activities of IRT in the field of HbbTV and advises broadcasters in all HbbTV-related issues.